No 'sophomore slump' for Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard

AP PhotoGoaltender Jimmy Howard's next win will be the 53rd of his career, tying him for 15th on the Red Wings' all-time list.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Clearly, Jimmy Howard did not overachieve last season, as some might have suspected.

The Detroit Red Wings goaltender has dashed fears of a “sophomore slump” with a strong start to the season.

“Anytime you have a guy who’s played in the league one year, you’re always wondering about the follow-up, and it looks like he’s going in the right direction following up,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said.

“The big difference between now and the same time last year is we know and he knows. He’s earned the right to feel confident about himself. He’s given his teammates a lot of confidence.”

At 14-2-2, Howard was tied with Montreal’s Carey Price for the NHL lead in wins heading into Wednesday’s games. Howard is 27-2-4 in the regular season dating to March 11.

Osgood, out since Nov. 1 with a strained groin, will dress as Howard’s backup Friday. Joey MacDonald, who served as the backup the past 15 games, was reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday.

Howard, 26, said his four seasons in Grand Rapids (2005-06 to ’08-09) helped him mature and be better prepared for the NHL.

“I learned to really iron out a lot of wrinkles down there and become a consistent goaltender,” he said. “This year, I’m just a lot more comfortable in net.”

Howard’s goals-against average (2.52) and save percentage (.913) aren’t as good as last season (2.26, .924), when he finished second in Calder Trophy balloting for top rookie. But he has a greater margin for error behind a healthy team with more firepower.

“He gives us a chance to win every night,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “Some nights, he’s given up goals he’d like to have back. But he’s made key saves when the game’s on the line.”

Howard has improved his fundamentals working with goaltending coach Jim Bedard for several years. His mobile, puck-moving defense also has made his job easier.

“I got confidence in the guys that they got the back door, that I’m able to stay out on the shooter and not really give any room instead of backing up and having to worry about the pass across,” Howard said. “It’s huge for a goalie’s mentality when he’s got the confidence of the team.”

Osgood said Howard’s mental toughness enables him to shake off a soft goal and rebound from a bad outing.

“He doesn’t change the way he plays,” Osgood said. “The biggest thing Howie’s got better at is consistently playing the same every game. He’s gotten to that point where if a goal goes in, he keeps playing the exact same way.”

Babcock also is pleased with Howard’s consistency.

“The league is much tighter, all you got to do is look at the West,” Babcock said.

“It just goes to show that you need good goaltending nightly. And we’ve been fortunate the growth of Howard with the help of Osgood has been real positive for us.”

Holland said he has not yet opened contract talks with Howard, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Columbus’ Steve Mason, the 2009 Calder Trophy winner, signed a two-year, $5.8 million extension before the season. Mason is one comparable player in determining Howard’s market value.

“At some point in time, I’ll sit down with his agent,” Holland said. “It’s a salary-cap world. Teams and players have to determine how much they’re worth. He’s obviously due a significant raise (from his $800,000 salary).”

Howard’s next win will be the 53rd of his career, tying him with Mike Vernon for 15th on the Red Wings’ all-time list.

“People like to say sophomore slump. That’s just a (phrase) of convenience when a player goes into his second year,” Osgood said. “We got a good team. Jimmy realizes that. He doesn’t have to steal games a lot of times like he did last year. Mentally and technically, he’s way ahead of where he was at the start of last year.”